Coolant

[STAG GEEK Mk.1]

I have a stag with the v8 triumph engine and would like to know what the best coolant is some say 50/50 mix with antifreeze and someone mentioned to me about using the modern waterless coolant that is better for holding the correct temp.? can anyone help please, thank you Martin

[jleyton]

Hi Martin,

Sorry to see you haven't had any replies yet. If you do a search on 'anti freeze' or 'Evans' (the waterless coolant), you should find quite a bit of info.

I use 33% anti freeze mix but you need to be careful which type is in there now. The more modern stuff is described as 'oat technology' but it MUST NOT be mixed with the older, conventional glycol based anti freeze. I stick to the old fashioned stuff.

As for waterless coolant, the one talked about is Evans and although I'm interested in this, I've not taken the plunge. There are a number of possible drawbacks - not least the cost at something like £100

Hope this is of some help.

Cheers

Julian

[Stevetubbyturbo]

I use 33% antifreeze mix as well due to antifreeze being not as good as water at conducting heat.

Know very little about Evans waterless coolent other than I have heard that it does cause the engine to run slightly hotter, not sure if this is true but hopefully you will get more replys from owners who know more on than subject than me.

Cheers

Steve

[milothedog]

I don't get this thing with the Evans coolant, every stag owner I know wants their car to run cool/normal in all conditions so why put something in that makes it run hotter. if it gets too hot and the coolant boils or not damage will still occur will it not.

It won't prevent HGF either, if it's going to happen it will because there is something wrong.

if it's overheating the gauge will tell you, Ideally you stop and switch off as soon as you notice hopefully helping with damage limitation so the only benefit I see is you don't get the pretty clouds of steam when it goes to far and your heart sinks as your looking at the £ signs drifting upwards when you open the bonnet.

Your IAT or in my case OAT coolant and a well maintained system along with some sensible mods, in my case this a header tank and Kenlowe do the job perfectly for today's conditions.

I'd rather spend the £100 + on something else personally but these are just my views and respect that other owners may see it differently.

Just my 2p worth.

Ian

[martin]

No Ian, that's about £100s worth !
Martin, we live in a hard water area, so use distilled water only, including topping up. Martin.

[ChasR]

I don't get this thing with the Evans coolant, every stag owner I know wants their car to run cool/normal in all conditions so why put something in that makes it run hotter. if it gets too hot and the coolant boils or not damage will still occur will it not.

It won't prevent HGF either, if it's going to happen it will because there is something wrong.

if it's overheating the gauge will tell you, Ideally you stop and switch off as soon as you notice hopefully helping with damage limitation so the only benefit I see is you don't get the pretty clouds of steam when it goes to far and your heart sinks as your looking at the £ signs drifting upwards when you open the bonnet.

Your IAT or in my case OAT coolant and a well maintained system along with some sensible mods, in my case this a header tank and Kenlowe do the job perfectly for today's conditions.

I'd rather spend the £100 + on something else personally but these are just my views and respect that other owners may see it differently.

Just my 2p worth.

Ian

Although the car will run slightly hotter with Evans coolant the theory is that with the much higher boiling point of Evans Coolant, HG failure will be much less likely as a result, and that the high pressure of the Stag system will not need to be depended upon as much.

Whichever way you look at it, there are pros and cons for either. I reckon with good quality kit the stock system probably is fine for most, although as always, there is room for improvement .

[flying farmer]

I think a lot of the time it is head gasket failure that causes the overheating rather than the other way around, although if you thoroughly cook the engine for any reason the heads will warp anyway. Stag paranoia is good sometimes as it makes us keep a regular eye on the temp gauge, and the smell of antifreeze gives me the willies.
The Stag engined TR smelt of antifreeze for most of last year without seeing anything wet, in the end I found a loose hose clip which stopped the smell. I wonder what the evans stuff smells like, and would you recognise the smell?
Neil